Abstract: Existing currency validation (CVAL) devices, systems, and methods are too slow, costly, intrusive, and/or bulky to be routinely used in common transaction locations (e.g., at checkout, at an automatic teller machine, etc.). Presented herein are devices, systems, and methods to facilitate optical validation of documents, merchandise, or currency at common transaction locations and to do so in an obtrusive and convenient way. More specifically, the present invention embraces a validation device that may be used alone or integrated within a larger system (e.g., point of sale system, kiosk, etc.). The present invention also embraces methods for currency validation using the validation device, as well as methods for improving the quality and consistency of data captured by the validation device for validation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an alternative illuminator assembly and corresponding imaging assemblies utilizing the alternative illuminator assembly. The alternative illuminator assembly may provide alternative illuminations from those produced by an imager engine, such that the alternative illuminations may provide specific illuminations at specific illumination angles to illuminate a field of view for a desired purpose. In an example context, the alternative illuminator assembly provides one or more alternative illuminations for improving the likelihood of successfully reading specific direct part marking indicias of various types. Embodiments are provided using overlapping subassemblies that enable a small form factor assembly that can fit into mobile apparatus chasses, for example within conventional cell phone housings of around 7 millimeters.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a joint assembly for an apparatus comprising an object and a base component. The joint assembly comprises a first joint component coupled to a second joint component and each joint component comprises annular joint sections. A first peripheral section of a first annular joint section of the first joint component abut with a second peripheral section of a second annular joint section of the second joint component is defined to rotate about a first axis. A second peripheral section of a second annular joint section of the first joint component abut with the base component is defined to rotate about a second axis. A first peripheral section of a first annular joint section of the second joint component abut with the object is defined to rotate about the third axis. The first axis, the second axis, and third axis are orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to illumination synchronization in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include systems, methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for operating a near-field illumination source associated with a near-field image sensor, based on a first illumination pulse train. An exposure period of a far-field image sensor is determined and one or more characteristics of the first illumination pulse train are modified to accommodate the exposure period of the far-field image sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an alternative illuminator assembly and corresponding imaging assemblies utilizing the alternative illuminator assembly. The alternative illuminator assembly may provide alternative illuminations from those produced by an imager engine, such that the alternative illuminations may provide specific illuminations at specific illumination angles to illuminate a field of view for a desired purpose. In an example context, the alternative illuminator assembly provides one or more alternative illuminations for improving the likelihood of successfully reading specific direct part marking indicias of various types. Embodiments are provided using overlapping subassemblies that enable a small form factor assembly that can fit into mobile apparatus chasses, for example within conventional cell phone housings of around 7 millimeters.

Abstract: An optical dimensioning system includes one or more light emitting assemblies configured to project one or more predetermined patterns on an object; an imaging assembly configured to sense light scattered and/or reflected off the object, and to capture an image of the object while the patterns are projected; and a processing assembly configured to analyze the image of the object to determine one or more dimension parameters of the object. The light emitting assembly may include a single piece optical component configured for producing a first pattern and second pattern. The patterns may be distinguishable based on directional filtering, feature detection, feature shift detection, or the like. A method for optical dimensioning includes illuminating an object with at least two detectable patterns; and calculating dimensions of the object by analyzing pattern separate of the elements comprising the projected patterns. One or more pattern generators may produce the patterns.

Abstract: An optical dimensioning system includes one or more light emitting assemblies configured to project one or more predetermined patterns on an object; an imaging assembly configured to sense light scattered and/or reflected off the object, and to capture an image of the object while the patterns are projected; and a processing assembly configured to analyze the image of the object to determine one or more dimension parameters of the object. The light emitting assembly may include a single piece optical component configured for producing a first pattern and second pattern. The patterns may be distinguishable based on directional filtering, feature detection, feature shift detection, or the like. A method for optical dimensioning includes illuminating an object with at least two detectable patterns; and calculating dimensions of the object by analyzing pattern separate of the elements comprising the projected patterns. One or more pattern generators may produce the patterns.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to illumination synchronization in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include systems, methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for operating a near-field illumination source associated with a near-field image sensor, based on a first illumination pulse train. An exposure period of a far-field image sensor is determined and one or more characteristics of the first illumination pulse train are modified to accommodate the exposure period of the far-field image sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to automatic focus selection in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include methods, systems, and apparatuses configured for capturing by a first image sensor, a first image of a visual object with a background associated with a subject. A characteristic difference between the visual object in the first image and the background in the first image is determined and a distance determination mode is selected based on the determined characteristic difference. Accordingly, a distance to the subject is calculated based on the selected distance determination mode and a second image sensor is controlled to capture a second image of the subject, based on the calculated distance to the subject.

Abstract: An optical dimensioning system includes one or more light emitting assemblies configured to project one or more predetermined patterns on an object; an imaging assembly configured to sense light scattered and/or reflected off the object, and to capture an image of the object while the patterns are projected; and a processing assembly configured to analyze the image of the object to determine one or more dimension parameters of the object. The light emitting assembly may include a single piece optical component configured for producing a first pattern and second pattern. The patterns may be distinguishable based on directional filtering, feature detection, feature shift detection, or the like. A method for optical dimensioning includes illuminating an object with at least two detectable patterns; and calculating dimensions of the object by analyzing pattern separate of the elements comprising the projected patterns. One or more pattern generators may produce the patterns.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to illumination synchronization in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include systems, methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for operating a near-field illumination source associated with a near-field image sensor, based on a first illumination pulse train. An exposure period of a far-field image sensor is determined and one or more characteristics of the first illumination pulse train are modified to accommodate the exposure period of the far-field image sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an alternative illuminator assembly and corresponding imaging assemblies utilizing the alternative illuminator assembly. The alternative illuminator assembly may provide alternative illuminations from those produced by an imager engine, such that the alternative illuminations may provide specific illuminations at specific illumination angles to illuminate a field of view for a desired purpose. In an example context, the alternative illuminator assembly provides one or more alternative illuminations for improving the likelihood of successfully reading specific direct part marking indicias of various types. Embodiments are provided using overlapping subassemblies that enable a small form factor assembly that can fit into mobile apparatus chasses, for example within conventional cell phone housings of around 7 millimeters.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide a discrete focusing lens assembly. Some embodiments are designed to enable repositioning of one or more components, such as a lens barrel assembly, to adjust the focus of the discrete focusing lens assembly. Some example discrete focusing lens assemblies include a module base housing a lens barrel assembly having a pair of positioning magnets, a pair of positioning coil assemblies associated with the positioning magnets, and at least one module alignment pin positioning and/or aligning some or all of the components. The positioning coil assemblies together with the positioning magnets are configured to exert various magnetic fields to reposition the lens barrel assembly. Further embodiments are provided for imaging apparatus including at least one discrete focusing lens assembly described herein. Further, embodiments are provided for processes for assembling a discrete focusing lens assembly described herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to automatic focus selection in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include methods, systems, and apparatuses configured for capturing by a first image sensor, a first image of a visual object with a background associated with a subject. A characteristic difference between the visual object in the first image and the background in the first image is determined and a distance determination mode is selected based on the determined characteristic difference. Accordingly, a distance to the subject is calculated based on the selected distance determination mode and a second image sensor is controlled to capture a second image of the subject, based on the calculated distance to the subject.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to illumination synchronization in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include systems, methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for operating a near-field illumination source associated with a near-field image sensor, based on a first illumination pulse train. An exposure period of a far-field image sensor is determined and one or more characteristics of the first illumination pulse train are modified to accommodate the exposure period of the far-field image sensor.

Abstract: An optical dimensioning system includes one or more light emitting assemblies configured to project one or more predetermined patterns on an object; an imaging assembly configured to sense light scattered and/or reflected off the object, and to capture an image of the object while the patterns are projected; and a processing assembly configured to analyze the image of the object to determine one or more dimension parameters of the object. The light emitting assembly may include a single piece optical component configured for producing a first pattern and second pattern. The patterns may be distinguishable based on directional filtering, feature detection, feature shift detection, or the like. A method for optical dimensioning includes illuminating an object with at least two detectable patterns; and calculating dimensions of the object by analyzing pattern separate of the elements comprising the projected patterns. One or more pattern generators may produce the patterns.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an alternative illuminator assembly and corresponding imaging assemblies utilizing the alternative illuminator assembly. The alternative illuminator assembly may provide alternative illuminations from those produced by an imager engine, such that the alternative illuminations may provide specific illuminations at specific illumination angles to illuminate a field of view for a desired purpose. In an example context, the alternative illuminator assembly provides one or more alternative illuminations for improving the likelihood of successfully reading specific direct part marking indicias of various types. Embodiments are provided using overlapping subassemblies that enable a small form factor assembly that can fit into mobile apparatus chasses, for example within conventional cell phone housings of around 7 millimeters.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide a discrete focusing lens assembly. Some embodiments are designed to enable repositioning of one or more components, such as a lens barrel assembly, to adjust the focus of the discrete focusing lens assembly. Some example discrete focusing lens assemblies include a module base housing a lens barrel assembly having a pair of positioning magnets, a pair of positioning coil assemblies associated with the positioning magnets, and at least one module alignment pin positioning and/or aligning some or all of the components. The positioning coil assemblies together with the positioning magnets are configured to exert various magnetic fields to reposition the lens barrel assembly. Further embodiments are provided for imaging apparatus including at least one discrete focusing lens assembly described herein. Further, embodiments are provided for processes for assembling a discrete focusing lens assembly described herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to illumination synchronization in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include systems, methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for operating a near-field illumination source associated with a near-field image sensor, based on a first illumination pulse train. An exposure period of a far-field image sensor is determined and one or more characteristics of the first illumination pulse train are modified to accommodate the exposure period of the far-field image sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to automatic focus selection in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include methods, systems, and apparatuses configured for capturing by a first image sensor, a first image of a visual object with a background associated with a subject. A characteristic difference between the visual object in the first image and the background in the first image is determined and a distance determination mode is selected based on the determined characteristic difference. Accordingly, a distance to the subject is calculated based on the selected distance determination mode and a second image sensor is controlled to capture a second image of the subject, based on the calculated distance to the subject.